The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (SX7545) Private Leo Stanislaus Leahy, 2/8th Field Ambulance, Second World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Sharon Bown, the story for this day was on (SX7545) Private Leo Stanislaus Leahy, 2/8th Field Ambulance, Second World War.

SX7545 Private Leo Stanislaus Leahy, 2/8th Field Ambulance
KIA 13 August 1941

Today we remember and pay tribute to Private Leo Stanislaus Leahy.

Leo Leahy was born on 19 January 1901 to John and Lily Leahy of Adelaide. His father was a contractor who built a number of important buildings in Adelaide, including additions to the railway station and the General Post Office. His mother was the first president of the ladies’ section of the St Vincent de Paul’s Society, and took an active interest in the Catholic church.

Leo was the youngest son in a family of seven brothers, one sister, two half-sisters and a half-brother. He grew up in and around the Adelaide suburb of Norwood and was educated at the Christian Brothers’ College on Wakefield Street in the city. Leo was considered “one of the finest athletes of the college”. He was particularly good at handball and football, and was a member of the Norwood Football Club in the South Australian National Football League. Following his education, Leo went on to work in the Public Trustee’s Department and the Police Court in Adelaide, where he known for his “kindness and geniality.”

Leo Leahy enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in July 1940. He underwent a period of training in Australia, during which he broke his leg. Probably as a result of this accident he did not leave Australia for active service until late December 1940.

Private Leahy was sent to the Middle East as a member of the 2/8th Field Ambulance. He arrived in Palestine in February, and was soon sent into the besieged Libyan town of Tobruk.

On 13 August, some weeks after arriving in Tobruk, Leahy was sent forward to act as wagon orderly to the 2/13th Battalion’s regimental aid post. That evening he mentioned to a few mates from the duty ambulance that he was going for a walk, and wandered over to some gun pits. The sentry on duty, from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, saw him approach a gunpit holding a Spandau gun which was at rest pointing vertically. Although the sentry shouted a warning, Leahy reached into the gunpit and tilted the barrel towards himself. The gun discharged, and Leo Leahy was killed instantly.

A court of inquiry was held into this event. Evidence was given that Leahy was exhibiting normal, rational behaviour, and there was no suggestion that he was suicidal. It was determined that his death was simply an accident, with no neglect, misconduct or carelessness to blame.

Leo Leahy was buried in the Tobruk War Cemetery in Libya, where he lies today under the words “We have loved him in life, let us not forget him in death.” He was 40 years old.
His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Private Leo Stanislaus Leahy, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section